Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

In restrictive cardiomyopathy, the heart resists filling with blood. Hence the amount of blood pumped out by the heart is not sufficient to meet the body's increased need for the energy and nutrients when the person is exercising. But the heart will be able to provide adequate blood when the person is resting.

Restrictive cardiomyopathy is the least common form of cardiomyopathy. It has several similarities with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Causes of Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Cause is usually not known.

1. The heart muscle is gradually replaced by scar tissue.

2. The heart muscle is infiltrated by abnormal material, such as white blood cells.

3. Amyloidosis

4. Sarcoidosis

5. Hemochromatosis- When the body contains excessive amount of iron, it may accumulate in the heart muscle, as in iron overload.

6. A tumor invading the heart tissue.

Symptoms of Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Shortness of breath

Tissue swelling (edema)

Abnormal heart rhythms

Palpitations

Heat failure

Chest pain and fainting - These are less likely than in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Diagnosis

Restrictive cardiomyopathy is often one of the suspected causes of heart failure. The diagnosis of restrictive cardiomyopathy is based largely on a physical examination, an electrocardiogram (ECG), and an echocardiogram.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is sometimes used to provide information about the structure of the heart.

Catheterization of the heart is required to arrive at a precise diagnosis.

Prognosis

About 70 percent of people with restrictive cardiomyopathy die within 5 years of when symptoms begin.

Treatment

No satisfactory therapy is available.

Diuretics may actually worsen the condition instead of improving it.

Drugs normally used in heart failure to reduce the heart's workload may actually reduce the blood pre...